Rail joint



0a. 20,1925. 1,557,912 Y w. T. wlLglAus RAIL JOINT Filed M55, 26.. 1924 Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIE T. WILLIAMS, OF BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA.

RAIL JOINT.

Application filed August 2.6, 1824.

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, IVILLiE T. :v'rLLL-mis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buena Vista, in the county of Dade and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail Joints, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rail joints and more particularly to a combined rail joint and chair.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device composed of a minimum of parts which will securely support and join the rails without the use of bolts and nuts or other similar fasteners, making it easy to install.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which will support and maintain the rails on an even plane, thereby rendering the joint jarless and noiseless when rolling stock is passing over the rails.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character which is simple and durable in con struction, reliable and efiicient in use and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l, is a perspective view of thedevice applied to the confronting ends of two rails, Fig. 2, is aside elevation of the same, and,

Fig. 3, is a cross sectional view.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the device is applied to the abutting ends of two rails 5 and 6, of conventional form, each of which has a series of apertures 7 through the vertical web adjacent the joint. The improved device comprises a base 8 which extends be neath the rail ends and projects a substantial distance beyond one side thereof. A longitudinal groove 9 extends the length of the base to receive the ends of the rails. Formed integral with one side of the base is a rail engaging flange 10 adapted to extend over the rail flange having its inner side contacting with the rail web for one-half of its height.

The opposite side of the base has a cen- Serial No. 734,335.

tral recess or depression 10 which communicates with the longitudinal groove 9 and is adapted to receive the locking member 11. The locking member is substantially triangular in vertical section having its vertical side engaging the web of the rail. A shoulder 12 is formed at the base of the locking member to receive the rail flange which it firmly engages. The vertical side of the locking member is provided with a plurality of studs or pins 13 adapted to extend through the apertures 7 of the adjoining rails and engage the notches 14 in the upper edge of the rail-engaging flange 10,

securely holding the rails against longitudi-' nal movement. The device when assembled, rests on the cross ties of the rail bed and is secured in place by the conventionalspikes or other fastening means. To facilitate the removal of the locking member a notch 15 is formed along the edge of the base which communicates with the recess 10, for insertion of a tool to unseat the locking memapertures through the Web are aligned with the notches in the rail engaging flange and the locking member is then seated in the recess in the base after the studs are inserted through the apertures in the Web. Thus, it

is seen an effectual and reliable joint is established between the rails which does not require the use of bolts or nuts.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim: V

.In a device of the character described,-the combination with the abutting ends of two adjoining rails having transverse openings through their web, of a base extending transversely beneath the rail ends and hav ing a longitudinal groove to receive said ends, a rail. engaging flange formed integral locking member having a series of studs extending throughsaid n'qgenings in the Web and seated in said notches, and a notch formed along the edge of said recess for the insertion of a tool to remove said locking member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIE T. WILLIAMS 

